Dr Kelly Fleming

One thing that has become extremely popular to follow the laws of accessibility for Deaf people is hospitals providing interpreter service via iPads.

You often have to fight for in person interpreters.

I have low vision (legally blind). I can see a tablet or phone up to 4″ from my face. I have special glasses to see my computer. I can’t use them with a tablet or phone.

I recently had a medical appointment scheduled and I was told they would provide an ASL interpreter via iPad. I told them I can’t see an iPad. I need an actual person standing within 4 ft from me to interpret.

Oh, that wasn’t something that was generally provided.

Seriously? They didn’t even know how to book the interpreter even though I gave them the number and email to contact, they didn’t know how to bill it.

Geez, it’s a province wide interpreting service. We’ve used them long before tablets existed.

The irony? This hospital is located in the heart of the Deaf community. Our school for the Deaf is in the same municipality. There is a high number of Deaf people living in this district. I’m not the first Deaf person nor the first Deafblind person to enter their hospital.

On top of that I use a power chair. No I can’t walk, yes I will have a PSW with me and until recently I also had my service dog with me, make sure you arrange a very large room for me to access.

And please don’t think a white board is a replacement for an interpreter!

My first language is ASL. I’m fluent in English as well but when I have an appointment, particularly a medical appointment, I want the information in my native language in a form that I can actually understand what is being said.

We need more education to medical providers about disabilities. Not every disabled person is identical. We all have our own accessible needs. You may think you are providing a cost efficient method of accessibility but for the love of Pete, ask the person first what they need to make things the most accessible for them.

Disabled people are unfortunately used to accommodating the non-disabled community, it’s 2024 – disabled people are everywhere and the disabled community is growing. Accessibility should not be a second thought, it should be a main focus for the medical profession.

This is definitely not limited to the medical field, but if all areas of accessibly, it should be a primary focus  to medical staff for disabled people.